Restaurant Scams in Byblos, Lebanon
Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks. Below are the restaurant scams scams reported in Byblos — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Jerusalem, Istanbul, and Izmir.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
2
Restaurant Scams Scams
10
Total in Byblos
How it works
Restaurants along the Byblos Old Port waterfront maintain two effective price tiers: a standard menu for Lebanese regulars and a significantly inflated tourist menu for foreign visitors. A mezze spread for two that costs $25–30 USD at an inland local restaurant can reach $80–120 USD at the same quality port establishment, with hidden service charges of 10–18% added at the bill. Some restaurants verbally quote a price for a dish but list a different price on the bill, relying on the guest not checking each line item.
How it works
During the summer season (June–September), Byblos hosts a busy nightlife scene centered on bars and clubs near the Old Port and along the coastal road. Some venues apply table minimums that are not disclosed at the door, charge per-bottle prices for arak or wine that differ from the menu rate when the bill arrives, or open additional bottles without explicit authorization and add them to the tab. In a small number of cases, foreign visitors have reported being charged for drinks ordered by other parties or for items not ordered at all, relying on the noise and confusion of a busy bar environment to obscure the discrepancy.
See all scams in Byblos
10 total warnings across all categories